Why I’m a Shoptimist
I enjoy finding deals so you don’t have to, but really, just because it’s fun.
I’m a lifelong marathon shopper, make-up enthusiast and big bag carrier (no really, since preschool). I have a love/hate relationship with bangs (there is no classy way to grow them out!), stilettos and pop music.
As a native of Dickenson County (where the nearest mall was a two-hour drive), the world of online shopping and researching became a quickly learned skill. I give all deal-seeking and shopaholic credit to my mother — the woman who would enthusiastically and untiringly drive six hours in one day simply to shop and browse.
Recently, I’ve discovered my father also has a few shopaholic tendencies, but his lean more on the aluminum racing jack side (he’s wanted one for a while, I have no idea why, but waited for a coupon!).
My latest obsessions are meal-planning, couponing and flash sales (Internet-only, major-percentage-off sales that only last for about two days).
Before becoming a mom in 2008 I didn’t really think much about planning my shopping according to what we actually needed, not just wanted. So, with all that adult responsibility stuff came looking for the best deals in grocery, beauty, clothing and entertainment. The thought has even crossed my mind to start canning in the summer to stock up for the out-of-season months.
I’m all about saving money, eating healthy, eating local and taking advantage of the deals that are right in front of us all.
As a full-time working mom and wife, it’s important to me to be a good steward of our income and of our time as a family, too. I’m not the type of couponer who never pays for toothpaste, but I am the kind who never pays full price.
That’s why I’m a Shoptimist.
June 28, 2010 - 9:13 PM
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Nice to meet you Hollie, let the deals begin!
Hollie, welcome to The Roanoke Times blogging family. As a fellow shopaholic, I look forward to hearing about the deals you find. And I hope to see readers share their money-saving secrets locally and online!
Here’s a hot tip. My fellow shopping pal, Liz Hock, just posted this on my FB page: I was in ei randle the other day and they still had some pretty good stuff left at pretty good prices. cashmere sweaters for 19.95. they close saturday. they had some nice raincoats too
Hi ladies, and thanks for the welcome! I saw EI Randle and Talbots advertising summer sales on my way home today!!!
Here are the deals for home canners:
Mason Jars and lids are least expensive at Big Lots. Goodwill charges 50 cents a jar and that’s not a deal since they don’t come with a lid and you have to clean the jars and remove labels. At Big Lots, the price breaks down to a few cents more (by the dozen) and they come with the matching lids and bands.
Fruit Pectin runs $2.50-$3 a box at Kmart and Kroger, but Sav-A-Lot sells it for under a buck.
Standard replacement lids (w/o bands) are a $1.25 a dozen at Big Lots. Can be nearly twice that in the grocery and discount stores, although WalMart is usually pretty competitive. Note that Big Lots does not sell Wide Mouth lids.
Don’t waste time or money on sticky labels. Instead pick up inexpensive glue sticks and use regular printer paper. It holds just fine; you or your kids can get creative; and when it’s time to reuse the jar, they easily come off with water, with no sticky residue or having to pull out the Goo Gone.
Susan, have you ever tried Dutch Gel? The folks at Jamisons’ Orchard recommended it, saying it is less expensive. You use 1/3 cup per box of Sure-Jell. You can get it there or order it online.